As voices of discontent gathered at the back of the Milburn stand before the game, they were equally as vociferous in their support for their team once they got inside the ground. The second largest attendance of the day (43,067) certainly made their feelings known.

The Newcastle fans had something to shout about other than the owner as Jonas Gutierrez ran from the halfway, and finished with a shot that went past ‘Keeper Joe Lewis. The shot took a deflection but it’s thought that Jonas will be given credit for the goal (please dubious goals panel?).

NUFC kept up the pressure as the fans bayed for blood and they got what they were looking for when Andy Carroll headed in a Danny Guthrie corner. Newcastle went in 2-0 up at the half and continued in similar fashion in the second-half thanks to a quality strike from Danny Simpson. Simpson, on loan from Manchester United, cut in from the right and hit a shot that ended up in the top corner.

Peterboro managed to claw one back on the 80th minute with Dean Keats finding the back of the net with a close range finish. It was too little too soon though as Newcastle United took all three points and maintained their top of the table position. The Toon are clear at the top of the Coca Cola Championship by two points, and six points clear of the teams in a play-off position.

No points however were given to the Toon stewards as they made Newcastle fans who unfurled anti-Ashley banners take them down. I don’t know about anyone else, but freedom of speech is a right – just not at St James’s Park, apparently.

Newcastle United go into the international break three points clear at the top of the Coca Cola Championship. That lead however could, and should, have been extended to six points today.

Bristol City goalkeeper Dean Gerken had an absolute blinder and had one of his upright’s to thank after Marlon Harewood shot against the post in the opening stages.

The keeper was only playing after Bristol’s first choice keeper – Adrano Basso was injured during the warm up. Danny Guthrie, Kevin Nolan, and Steven Taylor all had efforts either saved by Gerken or hit the woodwork.

We’re bound to have days when we throw everything at teams who play at St James’s Park, but the ref’s refusal to give a stonewall penalty after Marlon Harewood was felled in the box is just something that can’t be accounted for.

Fortunately, West Brom also drew meaning that Newcastle’s lead at the top stayed at three points.

Thanks to a late goal from new loan signing Marlon Harewood, Newcastle United managed to avoid defeat, and with it, go three points clear at the top of the Championship.

It wasn’t all plain sailing though and QPR proved they were no pushovers. They went in front on the 7th minute after a mistake from Jose Enrique allowed Ben Watson to slide the ball past Steve Harper. After 19 minutes Newcastle were gifted a chance to equalise from the penalty spot. Steven Taylor took a shot which hit the arm of Damion Stewart and the ref had no choice but to give Newcastle a penalty. Up stepped Danny Guthrie to put the ball home only for his weak shot to be easily palmed away by ‘Keeper Radek Cerny.

This gave the Toon the impetus to push forward and once more Guthrie was involved as he chose to shoot wide rather than play in striker Andy Carroll. The big striker then almost had one for himself as his shot was cleared off the line. However, Newcastle’s efforts went unrewarded as they went in one goal down at half-time.

The second half brought to life the Toon’s glaring lack of pace. Gutierrez came on to replace Butt to give us some width but failed to make much of an impact. It was either a stroke of genius or touch of desperation when Harewood was brought on to replace Nile Ranger in the 61st minute. The new signing made a great impact after getting on the end of a cross to put the ball home.

After the emphatic 4-0 victory over Ipswich, this was always going to be a tougher test as the R’s came prepared to have a go at Newcastle. Fortunately, even though the lads didn’t play particularly well, we managed to to maintain our unbeaten home run, extend our lead to three points, and we currently have the best goal difference in the league. Crisis? What crisis?

Newcastle take on QPR tonight at St James’s Park and a win will take us five points clear at the top of the Championship.

NUFC Player News

The Toon welcome back Jonas Gutierrez from a hamstring injury and Danny Guthrie from suspension. Coloccini is ruled out with an injury, while Ryan Taylor and Danny Simpson are both last minute decisions. With some of the performances of last weekend, you’d hope that Chris Hughton would be able to field an un-changed side.

After the results went our way with both Middlesbrough and West Brom losing, it’s time we showed our mettle. Anything less than a win would be a wasted opportunity.

Prediction:

Newcastle 2 – 0 QPR

Newcastle United climbed up to second place in the Coca Cola Championship after their 3-1 win over Plymouth Argyle. Newcastle made hard work of this win though and were very lackluster in the first-half. Going in 1-0 up at half-time thanks to a Steven Taylor header, Argyle came out for the second half like a team on a mission.

Determined to put their bad start to the season behind them (and where better to do it at St James’s Park?), they started the second half much the stronger and finally got the equaliser thanks to a Karl Duguid strike. After the defeat in midweek Toon boss Chris Hughton decided to give both Alan Smith and Geremi a start in our midfield – apparently Chris doesn’t think much of pace, a snail could have outran our midfield.

The game turned on it’s head though as Ranger and Guthrie came on for the disappointing Barton and Lovenkrands. The subs clearly provided the impetus we needed as their direct running caused the Plymouth defenders all kinds of problems.

Nolan then put Newcastle ahead with a header at the far post thanks to a great ball from Danny Guthrie. New father Andy Carroll then cemented the win with a cracking finish in the 84th minute.

The win leaves Newcastle second in the table, one point behind West Brom who put five goals past the Smoggies at the Riverside.